Hand warmer

ABSTRACT

A hand warmer ignites easily through simple handling, and extinguishes easily the ignition by using a simple method of converting a direction in which a fuel tank is inserted. As a result, fuel may not be unnecessarily consumed in the hand warmer. In addition, a user may trust the hand warmer and use easily the hand warmer

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a hand warmer, more particularly relate to a portable hand warmer for generating heat by burning alcohol, gasoline, etc using a platinum ignition section and having size to be inserted into a pocket.

BACKGROUND ART

A common hand warmer for generating heat by burning fuel using a platinum ignition section injects the fuel therein, and ignites the platinum ignition section by using a lighter, a match, etc.

Accordingly, operation of the hand warmer is not stopped until every fuel injected into the hand warmer is consumed after the platinum ignition section is ignited. In addition, an outside heat source such as the match or the lighter is necessarily required so as to ignite the platinum ignition section.

In case that the hand warmer is not optionally turned on/off as mentioned above, the hand warmer may not be operated in accordance with willingness of a user. Hence, the fuel may be unnecessarily consumed, and preference of the user about the hand warmer is lowered. Additionally, it is difficult for child, juvenile, etc. to have or treat the outside heat source such as the match or the lighter, and so the child and the juvenile may not use easily the hand warmer.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention is provided to substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Example embodiment of the present invention provides a hand warmer for performing ignition through simple handling, and extinguishing easily the ignition. As a result, fuel may not be unnecessarily consumed in the hand warmer. In addition, a user may trust the hand warmer and use easily the hand warmer.

Technical Solution

A hand warmer according to one example embodiment of the present invention includes a case configured to have a plurality of air holes; a heating body configured to have a ignition section for burning fuel, wherein the ignition section is disposed in the case; a fuel tank combined with the case, and configured to supply the fuel to the ignition section of the heating body; a power supply section inserted into the case; and an electrical ignition means configured to supply heat for ignition to the ignition section of the heating body using electricity provided from the power supply section.

The electrical ignition means includes a hot wire disposed at a portion next to the ignition section of the heating body; a switch knob handled at outside of the case; first conductors configured to move with the hot wire in a direction (first direction) of the ignition section or in a direction opposed to the first direction in accordance with an operation of the switch knob, wherein the hot wire is fixed to the first conductors; two electrode plates connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the power supply section; and a first switch plate connected to the first conductors, and combined with the switch knob, wherein a contact state of the first switch plate and the electrode plates is changed in accordance with the operation of the switch knob.

The electrical ignition means includes a hot wire formed at a location next to the ignition section of the heating body; a switch knob handled at outside of the case; two electrode plates connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the power supply section; two second conductors separated from the electrode plates, wherein the hot wire is fixed to the second conductors; and a second switch plate configured to move linearly by the switch knob, thereby connecting the second conductors to the electrode plates or disconnecting the second conductors from the electrode plates.

The hot wire is a nichrome wire, the hot wire has a thickness of about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm, and the length of the hot wire between the conductors is approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 7 cm.

The power supply section has a voltage of about 1.5V to about 9V.

The fuel tank is inserted into the case in a direction (first direction) of the heating body; each of the fuel tank and the heating body has symmetric contour line based on a straight line a center of the fuel tank and the heating body on a plane vertical to the first direction; the ignition section is disposed at one of sides of the heating body based on the center; and a fuel supplying hole is disposed at a side corresponding to the ignition section of sides of the fuel tank based on the center.

The heating body further includes a seal cap, wherein the seal cap is disposed at the other side of the heating body based on the center.

The fuel tank is rotated based on the case and the heating body under the condition that an upper side of the fuel tank is contacted with the heating body; a fuel supplying hole is disposed at a part of the upper side of the fuel tank to supply a fuel to the ignition section of the heating body; and a seal means is formed on the heating body, and seals the fuel supplying hole in case that the fuel tank is rotated.

A hand warmer according to another example embodiment of the present invention a case; and a heating body configured to have a ignition section in the case, wherein the hand warmer burns a fuel supplied from a fuel tank to a ignition section through a catalyst reaction; the fuel tank is inserted into the case in a direction (first direction) of the heating body; each of the fuel tank and the heating body has symmetric contour line based on a straight line passing a center of the fuel tank and the heating body on a plane vertical to the first direction; the ignition section is disposed at one of sides of the heating body based on the center; and a fuel supplying hole is disposed at a side corresponding to the ignition section of sides of the fuel tank based on the center.

The heating body further includes a seal cap, wherein the seal cap is disposed at the other side of the heating body based on the center.

Advantageous Effects

A hand warmer of the present invention ignites easily through simple handling, and extinguishes easily the ignition by using a simple method of converting a direction in which a fuel tank is inserted. As a result, fuel may not be unnecessarily consumed in the hand warmer. In addition, a user may trust the hand warmer and use easily the hand warmer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail example embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a hand warmer according to one example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the hand warmer of FIG. 1 in which a lower side of the case is omitted;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the hand warmer of FIG. 2 in which an upper side of the case is omitted;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a heating body and a fuel tank;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the fuel tank in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are views illustrating the heating body;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the fuel tank;

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are views illustrating an electrical ignition means according to one example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are views illustrating an electrical ignition means according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

1: air hole 3: case

5: ignition section 7: heating body

9: fuel tank 11: power supply section

13: hot wire 15-1: first conductor

15-2: second conductor 16: electrode plate

17: switch knob 18-1: first switch plate

18-2: second switch plate 19: cover

21: fuel supplying hole 23: seal cap

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Example embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present invention, however, example embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to example embodiments of the present invention set forth herein.

Accordingly, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (i.e., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, a hand warmer of the present embodiment includes a case 3 having a plurality of air holes 1, a heat emitting body 7 where an ignition section 5 for burning fuel is set and included in the case 3, a fuel tank 9 combined with the case 3 to supply fuel to the ignition section 5 of the heat emitting body 7, a power supply section 11 inserted into the case 3, and an electrical ignition means for supplying heat for ignition to the ignition section 5 of the heat emitting body 7 using electricity supplied from the power supply section 11.

As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the electrical ignition means of the present embodiment has a hot wire 13 set at a location next to the ignition section 5 of the heat emitting body 7; a switch knob 17 handled at outside of the case 3; a first conductor 15-1 to which the hot wire 13 is fixed, and for moving with the hot wire 13 in the direction (first direction) of the ignition section 5 or in the direction opposed to the first direction in accordance with the operation of the switch knob 17; two electrode plates 16 connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the power supply section 11, e.g. battery; and a first switch plate 18-1 connected to the first conductor 15-1, and combined with the switch knob 17 in one body. Here, a contact state of the electrode plate 16 and the first switch plate 18-1 is changed in accordance with the operation of the switch knob 17.

The hot wire 13 and the first conductor 15-1 move with the switch knob 17 in a direction (first direction) of the ignition section 5 when the ignition is performed, and move with the switch knob 17 in a direction opposed to the first direction when the hand warmer performs operation except the ignition.

In above description, the battery is employed as the power supply section 11, but other device may be employed as the power supply section 11 as long as the device could generate electricity to supply heat for ignition to the ignition section 5. It is desirable that the ignition section 5 is platinum ignition section, but the ignition section 5 is not limited as the platinum ignition section.

The switch knob 17 is supported by a spring (not shown) to move the hot wire 13 in the direction (first direction) of the ignition section 5 or in the direction opposed to the first direction. As a result, the hot wire 13 is close to the ignition section 5 only while the user pushes the switch knob 17. However, the hot wire 13 and the first conductor 15-1 are far from the ignition section 5 while the user does not push the switch knob 17.

In case of operating the hand warmer using the method mentioned above, heat generated by burning the fuel using the ignition section 5 is not transmitted to the battery 11 through the first conductor 15-1. As a result, the battery 11 may be not damaged by the heat.

An electrical ignition means according to another example embodiment of the present embodiment is disclosed in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the electrical ignition means includes a hot wire 13 set at a location next to the ignition section 5 of a heat emitting body 7; a switch knob 17 handled at outside of a case 3; two electrode plates 16 connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the battery 11; two second conductors 15-2 to which the hot wire 13 is fixed, and set at a location spaced from the electrode plates 16; and a second switch plate 18-2 for moving linearly in accordance with operation of the switch knob 17, thereby connecting the second conductors 15-2 and the electrode plates 16, or disconnecting the second conductors 15-2 from the electrode plates 16.

Here, the second conductor 15-2 and the second switch plate 18-2 are similar to the first conductor 15-1 and the first switch plate 18-1, but is different from the first conductor 15-1 and the first switch plate 18-1. Accordingly, the second conductor 15-2 and the second switch plate 18-2 have different nomination from the first conductor 15-1 and the first switch plate 18-1. However, other elements except the second conductor 15-2 and the second switch plate 18-2 use the same nomination as in a prior embodiment. On the other hand, in case that the first conductor 15-1 and the second conductor 15-2 are commonly mentioned, the first conductor 15-1 and the second conductor 15-2 will be nominated as ‘conductor’.

In the electrical ignition means of the present embodiment, locations of the hot wire 13 and the second conductor 15-2 are fixed. The switch plate 18-2 connects the second conductors 15-2 to the electrode plates 16 only when the ignition is performed. However, the switch plate 18-2 disconnects the second conductors 15-2 from the electrode plates 16 in other time. As a result, heat generated by burning fuel using the ignition section 5 is transmitted to the second conductors 15-2, but is not transmitted from the second conductors 15-2 to the electrode plates 16 through direct conduction.

Hence, the heat generated by burning the fuel using the ignition section 5 is not transmitted to the battery 11 through conduction, and so the battery 11 may be damaged.

The hot wire 13 is for example a nichrome wire. It is desirable that the hot wire 13 has a thickness of about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm, and a length of the hot wire 13 between the conductors 15-2 is approximately 0.1□ to approximately 7□. In case that the hot wire 13 is thinner than the thickness of about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm, the hot wire 13 is easily down, and a life thereof becomes short. In addition, it is difficult to assembly the hot wire 13 in the hand warmer. Whereas, in case that the hot wire 13 is thicker than about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm, an electric resistance of the hot wire 13 is smaller, and so heating of the hot wire 13 may be not easily performed.

In case that a length of the hot wire 13 is shorter than that of approximately 0.1□ to approximately 7□, a contact area of the hot wire 13 and the ignition section 5 becomes small, and thus the hot wire 13 is not good in view of electric heat characteristic. Additionally, it is difficult to assembly the hot wire 13 in the hand warmer. Whereas, In case that the length of the hot wire 13 is greater than that of approximately 0.1□ to approximately 7□, the electric resistance of the hot wire 13 becomes small. As a result, the hot wire 13 may be not good in view of heating characteristic.

It is desirable that the battery 11 has a voltage of about 1.5V to about 9V.

In case that the voltage of the battery 11 is smaller than 1.5V, the ignition of the hand warmer may be not accomplished. In case that the voltage of the battery 11 is greater than 9V, the consumption of the battery 11 becomes great. As a result, an ignition number of the battery 11 becomes smaller.

Referring to above FIGs, the case 3 has two parts. Here, a battery cover closed or opened for exchanging the battery 11 is formed on an upper side of the case 3. In addition, a space where the battery 11 is inserted is formed below the upper side of the case 3.

A part of the switch knob 17 is projected outside of the case 3, and thus the user may handle the switch knob 17 outside of the case 3

In one example embodiment, in case that the user pushes the switch knob 17 using his hand outside the case 3, an electricity is supplied to the hot wire 13 so that the ignition is performed. In case that the user unhands the switch knob 17, the switch knob 17 is automatically restored by an elastic force, thereby cutting off the electricity supplied to the hot wire 13.

A lot of air holes 1 are formed in one body at a lower part of the case 3 so that air required for combustion is supplied. The heating body 7 is fixed inside of the case 3, and the fuel tank 9 is inserted at a lower side of the case 3.

It is desirable that the upper side of the case 3 is made from plastic material, and the lower side of the case 3 is composed of metal for conducting easily heat generated from the heating body 7.

The fuel tank 9 is combined with the case 3 by inserting into the case 3 in a direction of the heating body 7. Each of the fuel tank 9 and the heating body 7 has symmetric contour line on the basis of a straight line passing a center of the fuel tank 9 and the heating body 7 on a plane vertical to the direction where the fuel tank 9 is inserted in the case 3. Here, the ignition section 5 is set in one of the sections of the heating body 7. Furthermore, a fuel supplying hole 21 is formed at a portion corresponding to the ignition section 5 on one of the sections of the fuel tank 9.

That is, in case that the fuel tank 9 is inserted in the case 3, the upper side of the fuel tank 9 is contacted with the heating body 7, thereby connecting the fuel tank 9 to the heating body 7. Here, each of the fuel tank 9 and the heating body 7 has symmetric structure based on a side passing the center of the fuel tank 9 and the heating body 7 along a direction in which the fuel tank 9 closes to the heating body 7 (in which the fuel tank 9 is inserted into the case 3), and so the fuel tank 9 may be inserted into the case 3 in a specific direction or in a direction rotated (converted) by 180° from the specific direction. Accordingly, the fuel supplying hole 21 of the fuel tank 9 is opened toward the ignition section 5 of the heating body 7 or is closed by the lower side of the heating body 7.

In one example embodiment, a seal cap 23 is formed at one side of the heating body 7 based on the center of the symmetric side of the heating body 7. Here, the fuel supplying hole 21 is inserted into the seal cap 23 so that the fuel supplying hole 21 is sealed by the seal cap 23.

Hence, in case that the fuel tank 9 is inserted into the case 3 in a direction inserted the fuel supplying hole 21 into the seal cap 23, the fuel supplying hole 21 of the fuel tank 9 is sealed by the seal cap 23. As a result, the fuel is not supplied to the ignition section 5.

A structure of extinguishing a fire in the ignited hand warmer by converting the direction in which the fuel tank 9 is inserted into the case 3 may be easily applied to a common hand warmer.

A metal cover 9-1 covers the fuel tank 9 with connected to the lower part of the case 3, and thus the metal cover 9-1 functions as a radiating surface for providing heat transmitted from the case 3 to the user, and makes beautifully an appearance of the hand warmer.

Hereinafter, an operation of the hand warmer according to one example embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

To ignite the hand warmer, the user pushes the switch knob 17 exposed outside of the case 3 under the condition that the fuel tank 9 is inserted into the case 3 so that the fuel supplying hole 21 faces the ignition section 5 of the heating body 7.

Electricity outputted from the battery 11 is applied to the hot wire 13 by handling the switch knob 17 so that the fuel supplied from the fuel tank 9 is ignited by the heat generated from the hot wire 13 in the ignition section 5.

In case that the user unhands the switch knob 17 after the fuel is ignited, the switch knob 17 cuts off the electricity supplied from the battery 11 to the hot wire 13. Additionally, the fuel supplied continuously to the ignition section 5 is burned by a catalyst reaction, thereby generating heat, as in the hand warmer described in Related Art.

The above heat generated by burning the fuel is not directly transmitted to the battery 11 except when the fuel is ignited by the electrical ignition means, and thus the battery 11 may be not damaged by the heat.

The generated heat is transmitted to the user through the case 3. In other words, the hand warmer performs original function such as function of heating a body of the user, etc.

When the user wants to stop use of the hand warmer, the user separates the fuel tank 9 from the case 3, and then rotates the fuel tank 9 by 180° so that the fuel supplying hole 21 faces the seal cap 23. Subsequently, the rotated fuel tank 9 is inserted into the case 3.

As a result, the fuel is not supplied from the fuel tank 9 to the ignition section 5 of the heating body 7, thereby extinguishing a fire in the hand warmer. A remaining fuel in the fuel tank 9 is not leaked by sealing the fuel supplying hole 21 with the seal cap 23. That is, the remaining fuel is preserved.

When the user wants to ignite again the hand warmer, the fuel tank 9 is re-rotated by 180° so that the heating body 7 faces the ignition section 5, and then the fuel tank 9 is inserted into the case 3. Subsequently, the user operates the switch knob 17 to ignite the hand warmer.

In another example embodiment, a fuel tank may be rotated based on a case and a heating body under the condition that an upper side of the fuel tank contacts with the heating body; a fuel supplying hole is formed at a part of the upper side of the fuel tank so that a fuel is supplied to a ignition section of the heating body; and a seal means is formed at the heating body, thereby sealing the fuel supplying hole of the fuel tank when the fuel tank is rotated.

That is, the fuel supplying hole is not sealed to supply the fuel to the ignition section of the heating body or is sealed by the seal means to remain the fuel in the fuel tank in accordance with the rotation of the fuel tank based on the heating body and the case.

In one example embodiment, the fuel supplying hole shifted in accordance with the rotation of the fuel tank may be sealed by the heating body itself.

In another example embodiment, the fuel supplying hole may be sealed by extra rubber plate when the fuel tank is rotated.

In one example embodiment, the fuel tank may be not completely separated from the case, and be rotated on the basis of the case. In this case, the hand warmer is ignited to generate heat. Then, the heating of the hand warmer is extinguished by a simple operation of rotating the fuel tank based on the case.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A hand warmer comprising: a case configured to have a plurality of air holes; a heating body configured to have a ignition section for burning fuel, wherein the ignition section is disposed in the case; a fuel tank combined with the case, and configured to supply the fuel to the ignition section of the heating body; a power supply section inserted into the case; and an electrical ignition means configured to supply heat for ignition to the ignition section of the heating body using electricity provided from the power supply section.
 2. The hand warmer of claim 1, wherein the electrical ignition means includes: a hot wire disposed at a portion next to the ignition section of the heating body; a switch knob handled at outside of the case; first conductors configured to move with the hot wire in a direction (first direction) of the ignition section or in a direction opposed to the first direction in accordance with an operation of the switch knob, wherein the hot wire is fixed to the first conductors; two electrode plates connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the power supply section; and a first switch plate connected to the first conductors, and combined with the switch knob, wherein a contact state of the first switch plate and the electrode plates is changed in accordance with the operation of the switch knob.
 3. The hand warmer of claim 1, wherein the electrical ignition means includes: a hot wire formed at a location next to the ignition section of the heating body; a switch knob handled at outside of the case; two electrode plates connected to a positive pole and a negative pole of the power supply section; two second conductors separated from the electrode plates, wherein the hot wire is fixed to the second conductors; and a second switch plate configured to move linearly by the switch knob, thereby connecting the second conductors to the electrode plates or disconnecting the second conductors from the electrode plates.
 4. The hand warmer of claim 2 or 3, wherein the hot wire is a nichrome wire, the hot wire has a thickness of about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm, and the length of the hot wire between the conductors is approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 7 cm.
 5. The hand warmer of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the power supply section has a voltage of about 1.5V to about 9V.
 6. The hand warmer of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is inserted into the case in a direction (first direction) of the heating body; each of the fuel tank and the heating body has symmetric contour line based on a straight line a center of the fuel tank and the heating body on a plane vertical to the first direction; the ignition section is disposed at one of sides of the heating body based on the center; and a fuel supplying hole is disposed at a side corresponding to the ignition section of sides of the fuel tank based on the center.
 7. The hand warmer of claim 6, wherein the heating body further includes a seal cap, wherein the seal cap is disposed at the other side of the heating body based on the center.
 8. The hand warmer of claim 1, wherein the fuel tank is rotated based on the case and the heating body under the condition that an upper side of the fuel tank is contacted with the heating body; a fuel supplying hole is disposed at a part of the upper side of the fuel tank to supply a fuel to the ignition section of the heating body; and a seal means is formed on the heating body, and seals the fuel supplying hole in case that the fuel tank is rotated.
 9. A hand warmer comprising: a case; and a heating body configured to have a ignition section in the case, wherein the hand warmer bums a fuel supplied from a fuel tank to a ignition section through a catalyst reaction; the fuel tank is inserted into the case in a direction (first direction) of the heating body; each of the fuel tank and the heating body has symmetric contour line based on a straight line passing a center of the fuel tank and the heating body on a plane vertical to the first direction; the ignition section is disposed at one of sides of the heating body based on the center; and a fuel supplying hole is disposed at a side corresponding to the ignition section of sides of the fuel tank based on the center.
 10. The hand warmer of claim 9, wherein the heating body further includes a seal cap, wherein the seal cap is disposed at the other side of the heating body based on the center. 